Aligning and creasing mechanism for plural webs



y 1950 R. N. WARD ET AL 2,500,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 1 HQ? 1 FIG. l'

WU L1 INVENTOR ERT N. o WlL M H. MAT EWS BY LA WWW ATTORNEYS May 2, 1950R. NIWARD ET AL 2,506,004

' ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9. 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT N. WARD BY WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS JZMYATTORNEYS May 2, 1950 R. N. WARD ET AL 2,506,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVE NT R in? ATTORNEYS ROBERT N. w WILLIAM H. A EWS May2,, WW R. N. WARD ET AL 2,506,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ROBERT N. WARD WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS y mvfmATTORNEYS Patented May 2, 1950 asset ALIGNING AN D CREASING MECHANISMFOR PLURAL WEBS Robert N. Ward and William H. Matthews, Dayton, Ohio,assignors to The Egry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application November 9, 1945, Serial No. 627,648

4 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for collating, aligning and creasingcontinuous paper webs, and more particularly to an apparatus forcreasing continuous webs at periodic intervals to obtain a fan-foldpack.

An object of the invention is to provide an aligning and creasingmechanism for producing fan-fold packs wherein the aligning mechanismfor aligning individual sheets in the fan-fold pack, also provides themeans for withdrawing the paper webs from supply rolls.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus forcreasing one or more Webs of paper periodically in opposite directionsto form a fan-fold pack wherein the creasing mechanism performs thecreasing operation upon the paper webs while the webs are taut, therebycausing a sharp crease line therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aligning and creasingmechanism for one or more paper webs wherein the aligning mechanismmechanically holds and feeds the paper webs toward a creasing mechanism,and wherein the creasing mechanism is so constructed and arranged thatthe paper web or webs between the creasing mechanism and the aligningand feeding mechanism is placed in a taut condition by the creasingmechanism while the webs are mechanically held by the feeding andaligning mechanism to thereby produce a sharp crease line transverselyof the webs by the creasing mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved creasingmechanism for creasing one Or more paper webs wherein the webs havepressure applied thereto mechanically to bend the same over a creasingbar to thereby obtain a sharp crease line across the webs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved creasingmechanism in accordance with the foregoing object wherein the means thatapplies mechanical pressure to the paper webs to bend the same over acreasing bar is caused to release the paper webs immediately after thecreasing operation is complete, to thereby provide for freedom ofmovement between an aligning and feeding mechanism and a foldingmechanism.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawingsand the followin description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine incorporating thefeatures of this invention, certain parts of the frame thereof beingbroken away to more clearly illustrate the app t Figure 2 is a frontelevational view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the creasing mechanism of themachine illustrated in Figure 1, having parts thereof broken away tomore clearly illustrate the operation and construction of the mechanism.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View, on reduced scale, of the mechanismillustrated in Figure 3, illustrating the manner in which the creasingmechanism can be opened to allow for threading of webs therethrough.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the machine taken substantiallyalong line 5-5 of Fig ure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a part of the mechanismillustrated in Figure 5 showing the means by which the paper webs arereleased from the feeding and aligning mechalllSITl.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view illustrating the driving mechanismfor the feeding and aligning mechanism.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the mechanism for driving theconveyor belt of the machine.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the mechanism. for folding the paperWebs as they leave the creasing mechanism.

Figure 10 is an elevational view illustrating the frame that holds thepaper webs against the feeding and aligning mechanism and illustratesthe manner in which the frame is hinged to open away from the feedingand aligning mechanism to allow for threading of the machine.

In this invention the collating, aligning, creasing and foldingmechanism consists generally of a frame ID that carries the supply rollsl I, I2 and 13 of the paper webs that are to be collated; aligned,creasedand folded by the mechanism of the machine of this invention. Thewebs it and (3 from the corresponding supply rolls may be termed recordwebs while the web l2 maybe a web of carbon paper.

In many standard forms used in business, it is conventional to providewhat is known as multiple copyforrns wherein the copy sheets haveimprinted on thewebs replicate forms occurrin periodicaliyupon-thelength of the webs. A plurality of paper webs upon which the copymaterial is placed'is then interleaved with webs of carbon papertherebetween; The interleaved copy and carbon paper webs are thenadapted to be fed through a typewriter or autographic register or otherbusiness machines for producing multiple copies of original data.

In this invention the paper webs II and I3 and the carbon paper web I2are withdrawn from the corresponding supply rolls by means of analigning and feeding mechanism I which aligns the forms on the Variouswebs with respect to one another: and feeds them" to a: creasingmechanism'fiil which in'turn delivers thecreased assembled webs to afolding mechanism 25 that fan-folds the webs for collection upon a con.-veyor belt I3I. The variousmechanisms I5, 20

and 25 are carried upon the frame iii of the machine, and the conveyor30 is adapted to convey the fan-fold forms toa suitable collectingstation.

The feeding and aligning mechanism I5 is more particularly disclosed inFigures 5,.6 and '7. This mechanism consists of a pair of shafts it andN that carry the sprocket wheels I8 and I9 respectively. A sprocketchain 2! extends between: the sprocket-i wheels 13: and I9; and isdriven thereby. The shafts I6 and'li of the feeding and! aligningmechanism are suitably supported'in'a framecomposed of verticalendspla-tes 33 4i and -34'--a that are carried upon the main frame If!-of -the machine.

As illustrated in Figure 2, there are two srch sprocket chainsZI thatare spaced'some distance apart, andeach of. the:chains 2I are providedwith protruding pins 22 that are adapted to engage holes provided in theWebs I I, IZ-and I3 for withdrawing the webs from the correspondingsupply rolls and for aligning the webs with respect to one another.Theassernbled paper webs II, I 2 and I3 are adapted to pass downwardlyalong the extendedlength of the chainZI, on the left hand side thereoiasillustrated .in Figure the pins 22': extending. through theassembledpaper'web's, asshown. With thepins zz passing through suitable holes inthe paper webs, there is provided a positive'mechanicaldrivingconnection tothepaper webs-l I, I2 and I31for withdrawing theWebs from the supply rolls I I, 52 and I3. Alsmthe-pins 22maintain'positive alignment between the form faces: on juxtaposed webs.

A gate 23 is positioned adjacent the length of th'e sprocket chainto:engage:the webs in-engagem'ent therewith for the purposeof'iretaining the paper webs in engagement with the sprocket chain withthe holes in thewebs maintained upon the pins 22 ofthe sprocket chain2!. The gate 2t consists generally of a rectangular frame structurehaving the'guide bars'zfiand 2'! joined with the horizontal bars 28 and29. Guide bars 26 and 2! positioned adjacent each side of each of thesprocket chains 2i, see Figure 2; to insure engagement of the paper webswith the pins 22 on the chai'nsi. I. The gate 23, is hinged Verticallyby'meansof hinge blocks 32'that extend from the vertical endpl'ates-33'--a and 3la respectively, the gate 'z'being carried uponhinge pins 3 %-b as illustrated in Figure-l0. A suitable latch 35 isprovided for retaining the gate 23 inposition ad jacent the sprocketchains 2I. The latch- 55 may consist of an arm 38, pivotally carriedupon a pin 3'! that is friction-engaged bya' spring washer 38*whic'h maybe of the-Belville type. The arm 35. isprovided' with a slot thatmay-extend over theshaftfi i to retain the gate in fixed positionrelative to'thesprocket'chains 2!. It is of course,

understood that other suitable latch mechanisms can be'substituted forthat disclosed.

The feeding and aligning mechanism I5 is driven from the creasingmechanism 28 and in the frame It) and carries on one end thereof asprocket wheel 58 that drives the sprocket chain GI drivingly extendingbetween the shaft iil and the sprocket wheel 42 on the shaft 34. SeeFigure 5. The shaft 34 carries a second sprocket wheel 43, see Figure"Z, that drives a sprocket chain A l which in turn' drives asprocketwheel 45 on the shaft I6, for thereby driving the sprocket chains 2|.The feeding and aligning mechanism 45 may thus be driven in synchronizedrelationship with the creasing mechanism 20.

As the paper webs approach the lower sprocket wheel iii of. the feedingand aligning mechanism, the webs engage rolls 47, carried upon the shaftit, that disengage the paper webs from the pins 22, as illustrated inFigure 6. The paper Webs are then free to pass to the creasingmechanism.

The creasing mechanism 26 consists of a pair of rolls and 5|, one ofwhich is mounted upon axsh'aft ii? heretofore referred to,-and the otherroller? is mounted upon a shaft 52 carried-between a pair of armsytthatare pivotallymounted upon the shaft 5 extending between a pair ofbrackets 55 that are secured to the frame ll). 7

Theshaft 49 carrying the-roll 5| is'provided with a sprocket wheel 52thereon that is driven by a series of sprocket chains-53a, 54a, 55 and56, that engage'sprocket wheels 51, 58-and 59 respectivelyfordrivinglyconnecting the shaft with the power shaft SI of a-variablespeeddrive 63 secured to the frame ill of the machine.

Each of the rolistlland 5I. ofv the-creasing mechanismis provided witha-recessGZ extending longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of theroll that receives a creasing .bar :63 therein. The creasing bar til-issuitably retained'in the recess 62 by means of screws -64. The creasingbar-63 extends beyond-the periphery-of the rolls 50 and particularlyfron'irthe shaft 40 of'the creasing mechanism. The shaft 40 issuitably'journaled 5I- respectively, to engage the'paper webs II, I2 andwas they-pass between the rolls 5i! and SI. As will be noted in. Figure5, the creasing bars are adapted toalternately engage the paper webs II,I2: and I3 andare'on opposite sides of the paper webs to thereby causealternate creasing of the'paper webs in opposite'directions so that theassembled. webs can be fan-folded into apack by thefolding mechanism. 25hereafter described.

On the side of the rolls 50 and 5|, diametrically opposite to thecreasing bar 63 and the recess 62: there-is provided in each of therolls 5%! and SI, a recess 65 that receives a pair of creasingrolls 66and 61 therein that are adapted to: cooperate with the creasing barsS3,as illus rated-in Figures 3 and 5, to transversely crease the :paperwebs passing between the creasing bar 63 'andthe crea'si'ng'rolls'fifiand 61.

As illustrated in'Figure 3 the creasing roll 61 is carried upon one endof a bell-crank lever 68 that is pivotally mounted; upon the pivot pin69 secured to the'plate 10 attached to one end of the roll 59.; Thecreasing roll 66 is carried upon one end of a corresponding bell-cranklever. II that is 'pivotally mounted to the plate 19 by means of a pivotpin 12, the-,bell-crank lever Il being disposedbehind-the bell-cranklever. 68, as viewed in Figure 3. A tension spring 13 extendsb'er tweenthe ends of the bell-crank leversv I58'and H, tending to-rotatethebell-crank lever 68 in a: clock-wise directionand the :bell-crankleverII in a counter clock-wise direction to thereby cause the creasing rolls65 and 61 to separate.

The degree'of separation of the creasing rolls 66 and 61 is regulated bythe pin 15 secured to the bell-crank lever fiflthat rides in a slot I5provided in th'ebell cranklever II. Asshown in Figure 3, the creasingrolls 66 and 61 are normally spaced apart a predetermined distance. Thecreasing rolls 66a and 61a carried upon the roll 5| a are constructedand mounted in the manner just described with regard to the creasinrolls 66 and 61. It is of course, understood that the creasing rolls 66and 61 are carried in the manner just described in both ends thereof.

The creasing roll 5| is driven directly by the shaft 46, and drives thecreasing roll 56 through the train of gears 11, I8, 19 and 86, wherebythe respective creasing rolls 56 and 5| are driven in the direction ofthe arrows thereon. With the creasing rolls driven in oppositedirections, as indicated in Figure 3, it will be apparent that thecreasing bar 63 of the roll 5| will cooperate with the rolls 66 and 61on the roll 56 and the bar 63 on the roll 56 will cooperate with therolls 66 and 61 on the roll 51, the latter cooperation being shown inFigure 3.

As the creasing bars 63 approach their coopcrating rolls 66 and 61, thusproviding nipper members, the paper webs II, I2 and I3 will be engagedby the creasing bar 63 to force the same between the creasing rolls 66and 61. When the creasing bar 63 and the creasing rolls 66 and 61 are inthe position illustrated in Figure 3, the creasing rolls 66 and 61 areadapted to apply pressure upon the paper webs in an engagement with theedge of the creasing bar 63 to thereby sharply crease the same over theedge of the creasing bar.

The foregoing operation is performed by a cam plate 8| that is securedto the arm 55 as shown in Figure 3. The cam plate 8| is engaged by a 66.Simultaneously, the pin I5 n the bell-crank lever 68 causes rotation ofthe bell-crank lever 'II because of the engagement of the pin I with theslot I6 to urge the creasing roll 66 toward the creasing roll 61. Thisoperation thus causes simultaneous movement of both creasing rolls 66and 6'! toward one another to clamp upon opposite sides of the creasingbar 63, as illustrated in Figure 3. It will therefore be apparent thatrotation of the creasing rolls 56 and 5| will produce alternate andopposite creasing of the paper webs I I, I2 and I3 periodically alongthe length thereof as the webs pass beyond the rolls 56 and 5|.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the assembledpaper webs II, I2 and I3 are mechanically fed and held by the feedingand aligning mechanism I5. Therefore, when the creasing bars 63 engagethe assembled paper webs, the creasing bars will in effect wipe acrossthe face of the web in engagement therewith as the creasing bars 63approach their creasing position to produce a taut condition in thepaper webs between the creasing bar 63 and the lowermost pin 22 of thefeeding and aligning mechanism I5. This taut condition of the paper webscauses the webs to fold sharply over the edge of the creasing bar 63when the creasing bar forces the paper webs between the creasing rolls66 and 61. Thus, when the creasing rolls 66 and 61 operate to clamp uponthe creasing bar on opposite sides thereof, as previously described, the

creasing rolls engage a taut paper condition to thereby sharply fold orcrease the paper webs over the end of the creasing bar 63 and therebyobtain a well defined fold line transversely across the paper webs.

To allow for threading of the paper webs I I, I2 and I3 between thecreasing rolls 56 and 5|, the creasing roll 56 is carried upon thepivoted arms 53 as heretofore described, so that the roll 56 can bemoved away from the roll 5| during the threading operation.

A resilient latching device, 96, is provided for retaining the arms 53in position illustrated in Figure 3. This latching device consists of anactuating handle 9| that is pivotally mounted upon the arm 53 upon a pin92. The arm 9| carries a latch arm 93 pivoted upon the arm 9! by meansof a pin 94. The free end of the latch arm 93 is provided with a hook 95that extends over a latch pin 95 carried in an arm 91 that is pivotedupon a pin 98 carried in the frame of the machine and resiliently urgedin a clock-wise direction by means of a tension spring 99 that extendsbe tween the pin I60 in the frame of the machine and the pin MI in thearm 91.

The actuating arm 9| is provided with an arcuate slot I62 that ridesover a pin I 63 secured in the frame arm 53. The arm 9| also carries apin I64 that is adapted to engage the latch arm 93 to release the hook95 from the pin 96 when the ac tuatingarm 9I moves in a counterclock-wise direction. A stop pin I is carried in the frame 83 of themachine and extends into a hole I66 provided in the arm 53 to controlthe opening and closing movement of the roll 56. With the device in theposition illustrated in Figure 3, it will be apparent that the roll 56is resiliently retained in its position by means of the spring 99drawing the arm 53 against the stop pin I65.

When the assembled paper webs leave the creasing mechanism 26, the websare provided with alternate and opposite fold lines as illustrated inFigure l. The folding mechanism 25 is provided for insuring properfan-fold folding of the paper webs as they leave the creasing mechanism26. The folding mechanism 25 consists of a pair of arms H6 and I II thatare adapted to oscillate back and forth to alternately engage thecreased paper webs as they discharge from the creasing mechanism 2. Thearm I|6 sweeps in a leftward direction as viewed in Figure 1, to urgethe creased web downward to insure folding along the right hand foldline while the arm I I I sweeps across the paper webs in a right handdirection to urge the paper webs to fold along the left hand fold line.The arm I is secured to a shaft II2, see Figure 9, that has attachedthereto a link I I 3 that is engaged by a link H4 pivotally securedthereto by means of a pin I I5. The opposite end of the link H4 engagesa pin H6 positioned eccentrically upon the sprocket gear 57 to therebyproduce oscillation of the shaft H2 and of the arm I I I.

The arm H6 is pivotally carried. upon a shaft I I1 secured to thebracket I I8. A link I I9 is also secured to the shaft I I1 and has aslot I26 therein engaging a pin |2| secured on one end of a lever I22pivoted on a pin I23 mounted in the bracket H8. The opposite end of thelever I22 carries a pin |24 that engages a slot I25 provided in a linkI26 that is secured to the shaft I I2, whereby the link I26 isoscillated by the shaft H2 and which oscillation of the link I26 causesoscillation of the lever I22 through the pin I24 and thus in turn.IQiQQQQQi :7 1esoscil alii moithe a m I a r usn the. Pi 1 l2! and thelinhlZt.

":From the foregoing 'dESCIlDtlOII of the :fold mechanism 25 it will beapparentthat it is sy chronized in its operation with thedischarge ofthe creased paper webs moving from'the creasing ;mechanism 28.

The fan-folded paper webs drop into a box I30 positioned over theconveyor 3c, the webs being (discharged from the box 130 by movement ofthe conveyor 30.

The conveyor 33 consists of a belt I 3! that may bedriven continuouslyby suitable gearing from ,the variable speed drive 68 to synchronize themovement of the belt 5 31 with the feeding operation of the machineorthe conveyor belt Ii-ii may .-be driven intermittently by means of amechanism-illustrated in Figure 8. In this arrange- ,mentone of theconveyor pulley wheels H2 is provided with a ratchet gear I33 attachedto the :same. A ratchet pawl .534 is pivotally mounted upon a lever 535that is pivotally mounted upon the shaft l 38 and is oscillated by meansof a lever :arm it? attached to a pin 538 positioned eccentrically upona drive wheel I359. The drive wheel 139 may be positioned upon anycontinuously rotating shaft driven by the variable speed drive 60 tosynchronize the movement of the belt with .feeding of the paper websthrough the machine. Oscillation of the arm 535 causes the ratchet pawl35 to periodically rotate the pulley wheel 532 and thus intermittentlydrive-the conveyor belt 13! to give it a jogging action which tends tosettle the fan-folded stack into a closely packed condi tion asillustrated in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description it will therefore be seen that in thecollating, aligning, folding and creasing mechanism of this inventionthe aligning mechanism 15 which aligns the paper webs by means ofperiodically spaced perforations provided in the webs, also produces thefeeding operations for withdrawing the webs from the supply rolls. Themechanical holding of the paper webs by the aligning holes thereinprovides means whereby a taut paper web condition is developed betweenthe aligning mechanism [5 and the creasing mechanism Zll during thecreasing op 'eration, and just prior thereto, so that a sharp fold lineis obtained transversely across the paper webs. Also, the foldingoperation insures a positive fan-fold folding of the creased paper websto properly stack the same upon a conveyor.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein, and the method ofcollating, aligning,

creasing and folding the paper webs as produced by the apparatus,constitutes a preferred form of the invention, yet it will be apparentthat the apparatus, as well as the method, is capable of modificationwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and that allmodifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims areintended to be included herein. r Having thus fully described ourinvention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters J'Batentis: l

1. An apparatusofor collating and folding multiple copy fan-fold formsthat includes, an aligning mechanism having pins therein for engagingholes in a plurality of webs adapted to pass :thercover for aligning thewebs and for with-' drawing the webs from supply rolls, a creasingmechanism for receiving the paper webs from the aligning andfeedingmechanism in a straight line movementtherethrough, said creasing mech-;,anism having a creasing bar and a pair ofrolls cooperating -.there with for movement into en gagement with the opposite sides of the .paperwebs passing through the creasing mechanism to temporarily disrupt thestraight line movement through the creasing mechanism and cause the websto be placed in a taut condition between the creasing mechanism and thealigning mechanism-simultaneously with producing a substantiallyV-shaped {fold therein for creasing the paper webswhile in a tautcondition.

2. apparatus for collating and folding multiple copy fan-fold forms thatincludes, an aliening mechanism having pins therein for engaging holesina plurality. of webs adapted to pass there- -over for aligning thewebs and for withdrawing the webs from supply rolls, acreasing mechanismfor reoeivingthe paper webs from the align- ,ing .andfeecling mechanismin a straight line movement therethrough, said creasing mechanism havinga creasing bar and a pair of rolls cooperating therewith for movementinto engagement-withthe Opposite sides of the paper webs-passing throughthe creasing mechanism to temporarily disrupt the straight line movementthrough the creasing mechanism and cause the webs to beplacedin a tautcondition between the creasing mechanism and the aligning mechanismsimultaneously with producing a substantially vhaped fold therein forcreasing the paper webs while ina taut condition, saidcreasing mechanismhaving said bar and cooperating rollers positioned therein foralternately and oppositely-engaging the paper webs passing through thecreasing mechanism to alternately and oppositely crease the sameforthereby producing a'fan-fold arrangement of the Webs.

3. Anapparatus for collating and folding multiplecopy fan-fold formsthat includes, an aligning mechanism-having a plurality-of pins thereonfor engaging periodically spaced holes in juxtaposed position duringmovement thereof to a (creasing mechanism'and a creasing mechanism forreceiving the aligned paper webs from the aligning and feeding mechanismin a straight line movement and consisting of, a pair of rotatablemembers rotatable in opposite directions each having acreasing barpositioned on the same .thereby crease the paper webs alternately andoppositely, resilientmeans engaging each pair of cooperating rollsholding said rolls in spaced relationship to receive said bar, and cammeans operatively engaging said rolls moving them together into apredetermined spaced relationship and into engagement'with saidcba'rwhen fully .therebetween tocrease the webs between said rolls and saidbar.

a 4. An apparatus for collating'and folding multiple copy fan-fold formsthat includes, an aligni echanism having pins therein for engaging holesin a plurality of webs adapted to pass thereover for-aligning the websand for withdrawing the webs from supply rolls, a creasing mechanismfor. receiving the paper webs from the aligning and feeding mechanism ina straight line movement therethrough, said creasing mechanismhavingnipper members for movement into engagement with the opposite sides. ofthe paper webs passing throughthe creasing mechanism to 2,506,004 9 10temporarily disrupt the straight line movement REFERENCES CITED throughthe creasing mechanism and cause the The f u i, f 1 f webs to be placedin a taut condition between me of i 81 are 0 1600 m the creasingmechanism and the aligning mecha nism simultaneously with producing asubstan- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tially V-shaped fold therein forcreasing the paper Number Name Date Webs while in a taut condition.1,108,295 Wildman Aug. 25, 1914 ROBERT N. WARD. 1,326,987 Straubel Jan.6, 1920 WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS. 1,497,296 Jappe June 10, 1924 1,699,165Sherman et a1. Jan. 15, 1929 2,246,336 Wyrick June 1.7, 1941

